New York Rangers Fly High on Home Opener at MSG, Win 5-2 over Sens

(Photo by Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images)

The New York Rangers had their 2009-2010 home opener on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden, which featured the Rangers showing off their new uptempo, in your face, John Tortorella style of play.

The Rangers looked like a new team, in so many ways.

The Rangers had three power play opportunities in the first period. Shots were flying at the net, and it was rather remarkable that Pascale LeClaire some how managed to keep them all out.

Shots were being taken from the point for the first time in years, shots from Gaborik, shots from everywhere. For the past several years I found myself yelling "SHOOT!" either at the TV or at the Rangers with the rest of Madison Square Garden. 

This looks like the next generation team. Eleven of the Rangers 19 current skaters are 19-27 years of age, and they LOOK like a team tailored to play John Tortorella high flying hockey.

Brandon Dubinsky cashed in two goals, earning the contract he held out for. He almost had a third that bounced off the post, but Marian Gaborik managed to stuff in the puck anyway.

Marian Gaborik has been everything he was advertised to be: shooting a lot and scoring a lot. He scored two goals in the first two games in a Ranger uniform.

The first line of Prospal, Dubinsky, and Gaborik has gelled well in these first two games, combining for eight points.

19-year-old rookie Michael Del Zotto also scored his first NHL goal in his MSG debut.

Henrik Lundqvist was stellar. He made some terrific saves early on to keep the Rangers in it.

The Rangers were up 4-1 until the end of the game. Dubinsky put in an empty netter for the 5-1 lead. The Senators matched by putting in one last goal with five seconds left.

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